Barcelona face a nervous wait to see if midfielder Frenkie de Jong will be fit to travel to Real Madrid.
De Jong missed training this morning, three days before the first Clásico of the season at the Santiago Bernabéu, with what has been reported as a bout of gastroenteritis.
The Dutch international has forged a solid midfield partnership with Pedri and his absence would represent a blow for a Barça side who arrive in the capital two points behind their arch-rivals.
De Jong is the second player affected by the virus, with central defender Andreas Christensen missing the midweek Champions League match against Olympiacos after feeling unwell. The Dane didn’t train today either.
Raphinha and Torres, about to be in shape
However, there was better news regarding Raphinha’s condition. The Brazilian striker took part in the group session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and is likely to be given the nod to return to the team for the weekend’s match.
Ferran Torres is also fit and could start at the Bernabéu to replace the injured Robert Lewandowski.
The visitors will also be without Dani Olmo, Gavi, Joan García and Marc-André Ter Stegen this weekend.
Defensive concerns for Madrid
Madrid are also not without injury concerns, especially at the back.
David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen all missed last night’s 1-0 win over Juventus.
Huijsen is the most likely to return against Barça. If the Spanish international is ruled out, Madrid coach Xabi Alonso will have only two options at centre-half: Eder Militao and Raúl Asencio.
